Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An Alabama native, Rachel Hawkins is the author of the Hex Hall series.

An award-winning storyteller and a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Cris Dukehart has narrated books in a plethora of genres, from romance, science fiction, and young adult to children's literature and autobiography. Her voice, with an endearing mix of sweetness and pluck, can be heard around the world and across the Web in commercials, e-learning projects, and corporate narrations.

If snark is a superpower, then the sarcasm is strong in this one. Yup, Sophie has returned and she's in a bit of a pickle. Powerless, after the council bound her magic. Alone, after leaving the destruction of Thorne Abbey, and unaware of what's become of her family and friends.

One liners abound, Sophie sets out to find her mom, instead she finds a whole other side of her heritage. If her father's lineage isn't complicated enough, wait until you meet her mother's side of the family, trust me dysfunction doesn't begin to describe that dynamic.

Unfortunately the impromptu reunion does last, as the former students of Hecate Hall find themselves magically lojacked. Turns out Hex Hall has reopened and lets just say they've let the place go. The final stages of the Casnoff's coup is underhand, and Sophie is a major part of their plans. Can she get her powers back in time? Will she even want them back?

Spell Bound was a surprise. Mostly because it doesn't go where you expect it. Much of the story lines built in the last book resolve themselves without any help from the heroine. I found that a little disorienting at first, but just go with it, the book's plot works well in closing out the series, though I doubt anyone will like the ending. I didn't feel there was much character development, but there were some really interesting new characters, who I found more compelling than the original cast. While I enjoy the droll dialogue most of the time, having Jenna, Archer, and Sophie bantering can feel too symbiotic. It would've been nice to have a different voice to balance out all the sameness in personalities. Plus I find it can be hard to connect or even like Sophie at times because of all the snarking. It can make it seem like she doesn't take things seriously and her words become a wall to block what she's really feeling, so we don't get that chance to feel it with her. I think that's why everyone likes Cal, he's open and accessible for the readers to connect with.

Overall I liked the book. It was a fun read, with an interesting perspective. I love the way Hawkins' writes between her dialogue. She put a different spin on how she describes her world. Clever and witty there's pretty much something funny on every line. And while Sophie's story has come to an end, the closure makes way for something new and the possibilities that were introduced are very intriguing. So I'm definitely looking forward to what's next in the Hex Hall universe.Read more ›

327 pages of pure awesomeness. Rachel Hawkins finished off the series with a bang. A bang that will leave a lasting indenture on my life. I felt a little part of my soul fade away as I closed the book for the last time. It has been one of my favorite series now for a while and I just didn't want it to fade away.

Cover:The cover goes along with all the others and it's just as creepy as all the others! I love how they include Archer's sword, yet I don't know what exactly the cat is doing in the picture... :) Or maybe I just missed that part.

Plot/Writing:The world Rachel Hawkins has created in a very intense one. She continues on with that world and the way she describes it makes me realize why I fell in love with the series in the first place. There was just one twist after another and I never wanted to put the book down. Of course, when I did finish it, I felt confused. As if I didn't know how to react. Which, I mean, the story wasn't ended on a cliff hanger and everything happened that was supposed to happen, but I just didn't want it to end. Which I know has nothing to do with the plot.. but I have nothing to say about the writing or the plot! :)

Characters:Sophie is going through ANOTHER identity crisis. I swear, this girl has more issues with their identity than anyone else. Still, Sophie is strong and doesn't let it get her down. She keeps her head up and assesses every situation with a a clear head. She is still the same Sophie we have all come to know and love in the other two books, she is just stronger and way more awesome now! :)

Then there is Archer! Gah, I love this kid. I don't care if he is part of the Eye. He is still amazing in every way shape and form. No one can change my opinion of this kid. He is very dependable in this book and that is a new and very sexy side of Archer. Then there is his witty banter between him and Sophie, which I just love! I would reread a lot of those scenes just to laugh over and over again! :)

All in All:I loved this series. I will deeply miss the characters and the world that Rachel Hawkins has created. Nothing could be exactly like this series and I am closing the doors on Hex Hall for now. Until I reopen the books later! Check out these books. You will not be sorry.Read more ›

So, this is it. The legendary Spell Bound. The cover. Is awesome. Once again it ties into the story, which you all should know by now, is something that I adore. I hate it when covers don't tie in.

Now onto the actual story. It picks up right where Demon Glass leaves off. Sophie has to find her mother and so she takes the Iteneris to try to find her. When she finally gets there things get iffy. I know Sophie has been through a lot, but she seemed a little off her game. She wasn't as funny as the other books, but I think that might be because of all the crap she's going through: *highlight to view spoiler* Her moms a Brannick, she's a Brannick, Archer is back, she likes Cal yatta yatta. *spoiler* Now come on! Cut the girl some slack right? Nope. Crap hits the fan and things get messy.

Now, I was sad because this is the end of the trilogy, and I LOVE this trilogy. I ADORE Rachel Hawkins and the way she writes. But the ending. COME. ON!!!! WHY?! JUST! ARGH! The ending had me sobbing. I read the dreaded page that I'm talking about and I just started bawling. My girlfriend thought that I had somehow broken my foot or something because I literally sobbed like there was no tomorrow.

Le sigh. There is nothing I can do to change what has happened, but in any instance I love this book. I give it 3 stars. I can't bring myself to love the story as much as I should because of what happens in the story, and because I'm being a little whiner because the series is over. I hear there's going to be a spin off, but it's going to be with different characters, which I'm not a huge fan of anyway. I recommend this to anyone who has read the Hex Hall series, for obvious reasons, and to anyone who likes original stories on witches and the supernatural.